homegrown and handmade
Written by Bev Askew
Happy New Year, everyone! I’m looking forward to getting started in the garden very soon! We’ve had a few days cross country skiing, up in the Cairngorms, and some very sad news – we had to say goodbye to our almost 13 year old whippet, Boo. She loved helping me in the garden, and with … Continue reading “January 2026”
Written by Bev Askew
The polytunnels have been cleared and a layer of chicken manure, straw and compost added to the beds, which I’ve then covered with polythene to keep them damp and warm. I’ve sown some cauliflower, for overwintering in the polytunnel. This will hopefully give an early crop. The hens are being given high protein treats during … Continue reading “December 2025”
Written by Bev Askew
The veg plot is slowing down now, as are the hens. They are into their moulting phase, so egg production will all but cease until March. They have earned a rest! I’m busy thinking about next year – crop rotation plans, which beds to add manure to, what products sold well and what didn’t. I … Continue reading “November 2025”
Written by Bev Askew
So… 2 new and intriguing experiments for this month… I’m ordering 5 truffle innoculated hazel trees to add to my little orchard!! I’m also trying to encourage chanterelle mushrooms to grow in a small wooded patch at the top of the plot. It’s a tiny shady area with beech and fir trees, and a nice … Continue reading “October 2025”
Written by Bev Askew
September is here! The peppers, tomatoes, and squashes are all ripening and will continue to do so until the first frosts. It’s been a fantastic year for growing, and we’ll soon have our pork products for the coming year. I’m busy preparing the soil for next years’ crops and planning new beds for even more … Continue reading “Sept 2025”
Written by Bev Askew
Wow! The last couple of weeks have been manic in the fruit and veg plot! So many things ripening – sweetcorn, peppers, tomatoes, fennel, courgettes, and more! Huge quantities to pick, preserve, blanch, freeze… and eat! Happy summer days!
Written by Bev Askew
I’m trying to increase fruit and veg yields by attracting more pollinators to the plot. I sowed yellow rattle last autumn, which feeds off the nutrients in the roots of nearby grasses, creating bare patches for native meadow plants to take advantage of. I’m hoping that by next year, we’ll start seeing ox-eye daisies, ragged … Continue reading “July 2025”
Written by Bev Askew
Things are full steam ahead at Acre Fare now. Male flowers are appearing on the sweetcorn plants, the onion bed is looking really good and potatoes have been earthed up. The strawberries are ripening and tomato plants are flowering nicely. Looks like it will be a good year for courgettes too! The pigs are growing, … Continue reading “June 2025”
Written by Bev Askew
My first producer’s market is the 3rd of May in Langholm. I’ve been busy drying herbs, making preserves, collecting eggs, designing cards, and tending to my veg plants – the tomato, courgette, herb and leek plants are looking healthy and ready to go to new homes! It’s still too early for much fresh produce, but … Continue reading “May 2025”
Written by Bev Askew
My new polytunnel is now built! I’ve now got 2 tons of gravel to dig in around it to improve drainage, 3 raised beds to build, and 3 tons of topsoil to put in them. Then…. the planting out begins!
